Venezuelan opposition leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-4-people-die-in-venezuela-border-clashes-juan-guaido-proposes-to-consider-all-options-to-oust-maduro-199344">Juan Guaido</a> is meeting with members of a multinational support group in Bogota Monday to hammer out a strategy to remove his rival Nicolas Maduro from office.

The trip comes after two people were killed and hundreds wounded as Guaido supporters clashed with Venezuelan security forces in a failed attempt to cross in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-aid-boat-reaches-curacao-after-reported-standoff-199458">truckloads of humanitarian aid from Colombia and Brazil</a>.

The European Union condemned Venezuela's use of violence and armed civilians to block the aid entry, while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked and saddened" by the civilian deaths.

Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself acting president in January after the opposition-controlled legislature concluded that Maduro was fraudulently re-elected.

Some 50 countries recognise him as Venezuela's legitimate president.

Maduro's 'days numbered'

Guaido flew to the Colombian capital Sunday for the meeting with members of the Lima Group - 13 Latin American countries plus Canada that are seeking to resolve Venezuela's political impasse.

Vice President Mike Pence will represent Washington at the event.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was confident that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-confident-maduros-days-are-numbered-in-venezuela-199411">"Maduro's days are numbered,"</a> blaming the border violence on armed civilian loyalists known as "colectivos."

"We're aimed at a singular mission -- ensuring the Venezuelan people get the democracy they so richly deserve," Pompeo said on CNN's "State of the Union."

President Donald Trump has said the United States is not ruling out armed action.&nbsp;

Upon landing in Bogota Guaido called on the international community to consider "all measures to free" Venezuela.

This is the first time that the Lima Group, which first met in the Peruvian capital in 2017, will speak directly to Guaido.

Venezuela is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that has seen poverty soar during a prolonged recession and hyperinflation.

Humanitarian aid, much of it from the United States, has been at the centre of the standoff between Maduro and Guaido.

Maduro claims the aid is a smokescreen for a US invasion and has ordered several crossings on Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil closed.

'Victory consolidated'

"Today we consolidated yesterday's victory, tomorrow we'll consolidate it even more," Maduro's right-hand man Diosdado Cabello said Sunday at a pro-government rally in the border town of Tachira.

"Not a single one of those trucks with aid got through," Cabello said.

Maduro seems to have won this round in the power struggle, even though 156 members of Venezuela's security forces deserted to Colombia or Brazil.

After Saturday's events it is "not very clear" that Guaido has "massive" support in Venezuela, analyst Rafael Pineros told AFP.

However, the events, which also led to increased repression by the Maduro regime, may instead result in a forceful foreign intervention in Venezuela, according to political scientist Laura Gil.

"In the Lima Group the consensus is that Maduro must be removed, but there is no consensus on how to do that," Gil told AFP.

Another winner is Washington, because the only way to justify a use of force, if they are willing to actually do that, "is by invitation," she said.

'No food' in the barracks

Colombian President Ivan Duque visited the two border crossing points where most of the violence took place on Saturday.

A 14-year-old boy was among those killed Saturday near the Brazilian border in clashes with Venezuelan security forces. More than 300 people were injured in a day of disturbances at crossings on the Colombian and Brazilian borders.

Sporadic clashes between hooded protesters and police, supported by terror-spreading armed civilian "colectivos," continued Sunday on the Venezuelan side of the border, but were not as intense as the day before.

Scores of Venezuelans who managed to slip across the border to get aid were trapped there as Venezuelan authorities had closed the border.

Nicolasa Gil, a frail 71-year-old who spent the night in Cucuta near one of the crossing points, said she was "scared to cross into my country.

"Here we're safer than over there," she told AFP.

The attempt to cross aid stockpiled in Colombia led Maduro to sever ties with Bogota - and on Sunday, a group of Colombian diplomats trickled across one of the border bridges on foot, luggage in tow.

Also Sunday three Bolivarian National Guard sergeants fled Venezuela and sought refuge in Brazil.

In the barracks "there is no food," said one of the defectors, identified as Carlos Eduardo Zapata.

"They don't even have mattresses. Us National Guard sergeants are sleeping on the ground."

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is meeting with members of a multinational support group in Bogota Monday to hammer out a strategy to remove his rival Nicolas Maduro from office.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is meeting with members of a multinational support group in Bogota Monday to hammer out a strategy to remove his rival Nicolas Maduro from office. The trip comes after two people were killed and hundreds wounded as Guaido supporters clashed with Venezuelan security forces in a failed attempt to cross in truckloads of humanitarian aid from Colombia and Brazil. The European Union condemned Venezuela's use of violence and armed civilians to block the aid entry, while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked and saddened" by the civilian deaths. Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself acting president in January after the opposition-controlled legislature concluded that Maduro was fraudulently re-elected. Some 50 countries recognise him as Venezuela's legitimate president. Maduro's 'days numbered' Guaido flew to the Colombian capital Sunday for the meeting with members of the Lima Group - 13 Latin American countries plus Canada that are seeking to resolve Venezuela's political impasse. Vice President Mike Pence will represent Washington at the event. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was confident that "Maduro's days are numbered," blaming the border violence on armed civilian loyalists known as "colectivos." "We're aimed at a singular mission -- ensuring the Venezuelan people get the democracy they so richly deserve," Pompeo said on CNN's "State of the Union." President Donald Trump has said the United States is not ruling out armed action. Upon landing in Bogota Guaido called on the international community to consider "all measures to free" Venezuela. This is the first time that the Lima Group, which first met in the Peruvian capital in 2017, will speak directly to Guaido. Venezuela is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that has seen poverty soar during a prolonged recession and hyperinflation. Humanitarian aid, much of it from the United States, has been at the centre of the standoff between Maduro and Guaido. Maduro claims the aid is a smokescreen for a US invasion and has ordered several crossings on Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil closed. 'Victory consolidated' "Today we consolidated yesterday's victory, tomorrow we'll consolidate it even more," Maduro's right-hand man Diosdado Cabello said Sunday at a pro-government rally in the border town of Tachira. "Not a single one of those trucks with aid got through," Cabello said. Maduro seems to have won this round in the power struggle, even though 156 members of Venezuela's security forces deserted to Colombia or Brazil. After Saturday's events it is "not very clear" that Guaido has "massive" support in Venezuela, analyst Rafael Pineros told AFP. However, the events, which also led to increased repression by the Maduro regime, may instead result in a forceful foreign intervention in Venezuela, according to political scientist Laura Gil. "In the Lima Group the consensus is that Maduro must be removed, but there is no consensus on how to do that," Gil told AFP. Another winner is Washington, because the only way to justify a use of force, if they are willing to actually do that, "is by invitation," she said. 'No food' in the barracks Colombian President Ivan Duque visited the two border crossing points where most of the violence took place on Saturday. A 14-year-old boy was among those killed Saturday near the Brazilian border in clashes with Venezuelan security forces. More than 300 people were injured in a day of disturbances at crossings on the Colombian and Brazilian borders. Sporadic clashes between hooded protesters and police, supported by terror-spreading armed civilian "colectivos," continued Sunday on the Venezuelan side of the border, but were not as intense as the day before. Scores of Venezuelans who managed to slip across the border to get aid were trapped there as Venezuelan authorities had closed the border. Nicolasa Gil, a frail 71-year-old who spent the night in Cucuta near one of the crossing points, said she was "scared to cross into my country. "Here we're safer than over there," she told AFP. The attempt to cross aid stockpiled in Colombia led Maduro to sever ties with Bogota - and on Sunday, a group of Colombian diplomats trickled across one of the border bridges on foot, luggage in tow. Also Sunday three Bolivarian National Guard sergeants fled Venezuela and sought refuge in Brazil. In the barracks "there is no food," said one of the defectors, identified as Carlos Eduardo Zapata. "They don't even have mattresses. Us National Guard sergeants are sleeping on the ground."

Venezuela's Guaido meets with foreign allies for anti-Maduro strategy

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-speaks-on-pulwama-attack-says-very-dangerous-situation-between-india-pakistan-199055">Trump speaks on Pulwama attack, says 'very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan</a>

US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday at the "very dangerous situation" between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering "very strong" action after Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-warns-venezuela-against-lethal-force-on-protesters-199058">UN chief warns Maduro government against lethal force on protesters</a>

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/michael-cohen-gave-prosecutors-information-on-trump-family-business-report-199063">Michael Cohen gave prosecutors information on Trump family business: Report</a>

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen met last month with federal prosecutors in Manhattan and provided information about potential irregularities in the Trump family business, the New York Times reported on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057">President Bashir declares </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057">year-long</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057"> state of emergency across Sudan</a>

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/apps-send-intimate-user-data-to-facebook-report-199073">Smartphone apps send intimate user data to Facebook: Report</a>

A news report Friday said many smartphone apps were sending highly personal information such as menstrual cycles and body weight to Facebook, without notifying users.

Trump speaks on Pulwama attack, says 'very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday at the "very dangerous situation" between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering "very strong" action after Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir.

Trump speaks on Pulwama attack, says 'very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday at the "very dangerous situation" between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering "very strong" action after Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir. UN chief warns Maduro government against lethal force on protesters UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil. Michael Cohen gave prosecutors information on Trump family business: Report US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen met last month with federal prosecutors in Manhattan and provided information about potential irregularities in the Trump family business, the New York Times reported on Friday. President Bashir declares year-long state of emergency across Sudan Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule. Smartphone apps send intimate user data to Facebook: Report A news report Friday said many smartphone apps were sending highly personal information such as menstrual cycles and body weight to Facebook, without notifying users.

News brief: Big stories of the day

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil.

"The UN will continue to act in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, working with Venezuelan institutions, to assist people in need," Guterres added in a statement following a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza.

An indigenous woman and her husband were killed and at least 15 other members of the Pemon indigenous community were injured in their clash with soldiers, rights group Kape Kape said.

The clash occurred in southeastern Bolivar state close to the border with Brazil, which President Nicolas Maduro ordered closed on Thursday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Venezuela not to use lethal force against protesters, after soldiers shot dead two indigenous people who were attempting to prevent the sealing of a border crossing to Brazil. "The UN will continue to act in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, working with Venezuelan institutions, to assist people in need," Guterres added in a statement following a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. An indigenous woman and her husband were killed and at least 15 other members of the Pemon indigenous community were injured in their clash with soldiers, rights group Kape Kape said. The clash occurred in southeastern Bolivar state close to the border with Brazil, which President Nicolas Maduro ordered closed on Thursday.

UN chief warns Maduro government against lethal force on protesters

The UN Security Council on Friday called on the warring parties in Yemen to immediately implement a deal to pull their forces out of three key ports and a key grain depot.

In a unanimous declaration, the 15-member council welcomed the recent UN-sponsored agreement between Huthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition fighting them.

They called for "the immediate implementation" of the first step of the deal, which includes the various factions pulling their fighters first back from the ports of Saleef and Ras Issa and then from the port city of Hodeida.

Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy in Yemen, said on Tuesday he hoped the redeployment of forces would happen as early as Tuesday or Wednesday but there was no indication that it had happened.&nbsp;

On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a meeting on the issue in New York with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Under the agreement struck in Sweden on February 17, fighters would redeploy outside the ports and away from areas that are key to the humanitarian relief effort in Yemen, devastated by famine and outbreaks of disease after years of conflict.

The ports are in the Huthi-held west of the country. The agreement also sets out free access to the grain warehouses at Red Sea Mills, under control of the Saudi-backed government forces.

The UN has not had access to the grain depots since September and estimates that the stockpiles there could be enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month.

The Security Council members also "expressed concern at continued reports of violations of the ceasefire" which has been in place since December.&nbsp;

"They called on the parties to seize this opportunity to move towards sustainable peace by exercising restraint, de-escalating tensions, honouring their commitment to the Stockholm Agreement and moving forward with its swift implementation."

About 80 per cent of Yemen's population, or around 24 million people, are in need of food aid, including 10 million who are one step away from famine, according to the UN.

The country's economy has been brought to its knees by restrictions placed by the Saudi-backed government for deliveries of imports.

The war has cost an estimated 10,000 lives since it began in March 2015.&nbsp;

The UN Security Council on Friday called on the warring parties in Yemen to immediately implement a deal to pull their forces out of three key ports and a key grain depot.

The UN Security Council on Friday called on the warring parties in Yemen to immediately implement a deal to pull their forces out of three key ports and a key grain depot. In a unanimous declaration, the 15-member council welcomed the recent UN-sponsored agreement between Huthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition fighting them. They called for "the immediate implementation" of the first step of the deal, which includes the various factions pulling their fighters first back from the ports of Saleef and Ras Issa and then from the port city of Hodeida. Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy in Yemen, said on Tuesday he hoped the redeployment of forces would happen as early as Tuesday or Wednesday but there was no indication that it had happened. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a meeting on the issue in New York with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Under the agreement struck in Sweden on February 17, fighters would redeploy outside the ports and away from areas that are key to the humanitarian relief effort in Yemen, devastated by famine and outbreaks of disease after years of conflict. The ports are in the Huthi-held west of the country. The agreement also sets out free access to the grain warehouses at Red Sea Mills, under control of the Saudi-backed government forces. The UN has not had access to the grain depots since September and estimates that the stockpiles there could be enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month. The Security Council members also "expressed concern at continued reports of violations of the ceasefire" which has been in place since December. "They called on the parties to seize this opportunity to move towards sustainable peace by exercising restraint, de-escalating tensions, honouring their commitment to the Stockholm Agreement and moving forward with its swift implementation." About 80 per cent of Yemen's population, or around 24 million people, are in need of food aid, including 10 million who are one step away from famine, according to the UN. The country's economy has been brought to its knees by restrictions placed by the Saudi-backed government for deliveries of imports. The war has cost an estimated 10,000 lives since it began in March 2015.

UN demands immediate pullback of forces from Yemen ports

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been criticised by the West over the government's treatment of Rohingya Muslims and other human rights concerns, is scheduled to speak at the United Nations in Geneva next week, a UN&nbsp;official said on Thursday.

Her itinerary has not been made public but it could coincide with that of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will open the UN Human Rights Council session on Monday, presenting the chance of a rare meeting.

Suu Kyi is a former political prisoner who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 but her reputation has suffered badly in recent years.

Her government's relations with the United Nations are tense following the Rohingya crisis. It has banned the UN&nbsp;special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, from coming to the country and Suu Kyi's administration has opposed raising the profile of the UN resident coordinator in Myanmar.

She has largely shunned travel to the West since the Rohingya crisis broke out in 2017 but she and senior officials in her administration travel regularly within Asia.

Suu Kyi is listed as a speaker at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva next Wednesday, but UN officials were not immediately able to confirm any other details of her trip.

About 730,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine State into Bangladesh since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts.

A UN mandated fact-finding mission said that Myanmar's military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya with "genocidal intent" and called for generals to be prosecuted. Myanmar rejected the findings.

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to calls seeking comment and diplomats at Myanmar's mission in Geneva were not immediately available.

Last year Suu Kyi visited Australia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Nepal, and she came to Switzerland in 2012, visiting the Swiss government in Bern and the U.N. and the International Labour Organization in Geneva.

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been criticised by the West over the government's treatment of Rohingya Muslims and other human rights concerns, is scheduled to speak at the United Nations in Geneva next week, a UN official said on Thursday.

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been criticised by the West over the government's treatment of Rohingya Muslims and other human rights concerns, is scheduled to speak at the United Nations in Geneva next week, a UN official said on Thursday. Her itinerary has not been made public but it could coincide with that of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will open the UN Human Rights Council session on Monday, presenting the chance of a rare meeting. Suu Kyi is a former political prisoner who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 but her reputation has suffered badly in recent years. Her government's relations with the United Nations are tense following the Rohingya crisis. It has banned the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, from coming to the country and Suu Kyi's administration has opposed raising the profile of the UN resident coordinator in Myanmar. She has largely shunned travel to the West since the Rohingya crisis broke out in 2017 but she and senior officials in her administration travel regularly within Asia. Suu Kyi is listed as a speaker at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva next Wednesday, but UN officials were not immediately able to confirm any other details of her trip. About 730,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine State into Bangladesh since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts. A UN mandated fact-finding mission said that Myanmar's military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya with "genocidal intent" and called for generals to be prosecuted. Myanmar rejected the findings. Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to calls seeking comment and diplomats at Myanmar's mission in Geneva were not immediately available. Last year Suu Kyi visited Australia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Nepal, and she came to Switzerland in 2012, visiting the Swiss government in Bern and the U.N. and the International Labour Organization in Geneva.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to speak in United Nations in Geneva next week

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-seeks-urgent-un-intervention-to-de-escalate-fresh-tensions-with-india-198228">India and Pakistan to take immediate steps</a> to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.

The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area.

"We are deeply concerned at the increasing tensions between the two countries," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Guterres "stresses the importance of both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps" to de-escalate, while also offering to mediate "should both sides ask," said Dujarric.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi appealed to Guterres to step in to defuse tensions, in a letter seen by AFP.

"It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions," said the letter sent on Monday.

The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), but the foreign minister insisted that "attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd."

In response to the rising tensions, France, Britain and the United States were considering a new push at the Security Council to place Masood Azhar, the leader of JeM, on the UN terror list, but faced opposition from China, diplomats said.

China has twice blocked -- in 2016 and 2017 -- attempts to put the JeM leader on the blacklist. The group itself was added to the terror list in 2001.

Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full and have fought two wars over it.

India has long accused Pakistan of harbouring militants who launch attacks on its soil.

Pakistan's UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi met with Guterres and with the president of the Security Council to appeal for action, warning that a flareup in Kashmir could undermine peace efforts in Afghanistan.

"The escalation in the subcontinent poses a threat to prospects for peace in Afghanistan," Lodhi told AFP.

The United States is holding talks with the Taliban on ending 17 years of war. &nbsp;

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's talks also involve Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the three countries that recognized the Taliban regime in Kabul before the US-led coalition toppled it following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree. The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area. "We are deeply concerned at the increasing tensions between the two countries," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Guterres "stresses the importance of both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps" to de-escalate, while also offering to mediate "should both sides ask," said Dujarric. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi appealed to Guterres to step in to defuse tensions, in a letter seen by AFP. "It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions," said the letter sent on Monday. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), but the foreign minister insisted that "attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd." In response to the rising tensions, France, Britain and the United States were considering a new push at the Security Council to place Masood Azhar, the leader of JeM, on the UN terror list, but faced opposition from China, diplomats said. China has twice blocked -- in 2016 and 2017 -- attempts to put the JeM leader on the blacklist. The group itself was added to the terror list in 2001. Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full and have fought two wars over it. India has long accused Pakistan of harbouring militants who launch attacks on its soil. Pakistan's UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi met with Guterres and with the president of the Security Council to appeal for action, warning that a flareup in Kashmir could undermine peace efforts in Afghanistan. "The escalation in the subcontinent poses a threat to prospects for peace in Afghanistan," Lodhi told AFP. The United States is holding talks with the Taliban on ending 17 years of war. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's talks also involve Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the three countries that recognized the Taliban regime in Kabul before the US-led coalition toppled it following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-says-pulwama-attack-a-horrible-situation-198413">Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation'</a>

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427">Unleashing the Power of South Asia: At WION conclave today in Dubai, thought leaders to discuss </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427">way</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unleashing-the-power-of-south-asia-at-wion-conclave-today-in-dubai-thought-leaders-to-discuss-way-forward-for-the-region-198427"> forward for the region</a>

WION is holding its 'Unleashing the Power of South Asia' conclave today in Dubai, the UAE. &nbsp;

The summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world to find common ground on the way forward for the South Asian region.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-urges-india-pakistan-to-take-immediate-steps-to-defuse-tensions-198397">UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace</a>

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree.

The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-urges-india-pakistan-to-take-immediate-steps-to-defuse-tensions-198397">Britain to strip teen who joined Islamic State of citizenship: Lawyer</a>

Britain will strip citizenship from Shamima Begum, a UK teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and wants to return home with a newborn baby, a lawyer for her family said Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">Agreed to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407">alliance</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agreed-for-alliance-as-bjps-way-of-treating-allies-has-changed-uddhav-thackeray-198407"> as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray</a>

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies.

Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

Trump says Pulwama attack a 'horrible situation' US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, saying he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement. Unleashing the Power of South Asia: At WION conclave today in Dubai, thought leaders to discuss way forward for the region WION is holding its 'Unleashing the Power of South Asia' conclave today in Dubai, the UAE. The summit will bring together thought leaders from around the world to find common ground on the way forward for the South Asian region. UN Secretary-General Guterres urges India, Pakistan to defuse tension, offers to broker peace UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to defuse tensions and offered to help broker a solution if both sides agree. The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic clash following a suicide attack on February 14 in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel, triggering counter-operations by Indian forces in the area. Britain to strip teen who joined Islamic State of citizenship: Lawyer Britain will strip citizenship from Shamima Begum, a UK teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and wants to return home with a newborn baby, a lawyer for her family said Tuesday. Agreed to alliance as BJP's way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the BJP because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies. Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence here.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday that a slew of peaceful elections and truces in Africa were signs of a "wind of hope" on the continent.

He was speaking on the sidelines of an African Union summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, where heads of state from 55 member nations will meet from Sunday.

"This is a moment in which a wind of hope is blowing across Africa. We have seen reconciliation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, we have seen peace agreements... in South Sudan and CAR (Central African Republic)", said Guterres.

"We're working together to see if we can move the same direction in Libya. We have seen elections in Madagascar, DRC and Mali that people were forecasting will lead to tragedy and violence and in the end took place in a peaceful context," he added.

Ethiopia and Eritrea last year ended a two-decade-long cold war, while South Sudan is trying to implement the latest in a long line of peace deals to end a bloody five-year conflict.

The Central African Republic this week reached a peace deal between the government and 14 militia groups, boosting hopes of an end of a crisis that has gripped the country since 2012, sparking a conflict that left thousands dead and over a million displaced.

"All these circumstances were realized through the combination of efforts of the UN and AU... to make sure guns will be silent from 2020 onwards on the African continent," said Guterres.

"I believe Africa is becoming an example where it is possible to solve conflicts and prevent conflicts and I hope this wind of hope can be extended to other parts of the world."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday that a slew of peaceful elections and truces in Africa were signs of a "wind of hope" on the continent.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday that a slew of peaceful elections and truces in Africa were signs of a "wind of hope" on the continent. He was speaking on the sidelines of an African Union summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, where heads of state from 55 member nations will meet from Sunday. "This is a moment in which a wind of hope is blowing across Africa. We have seen reconciliation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, we have seen peace agreements... in South Sudan and CAR (Central African Republic)", said Guterres. "We're working together to see if we can move the same direction in Libya. We have seen elections in Madagascar, DRC and Mali that people were forecasting will lead to tragedy and violence and in the end took place in a peaceful context," he added. Ethiopia and Eritrea last year ended a two-decade-long cold war, while South Sudan is trying to implement the latest in a long line of peace deals to end a bloody five-year conflict. The Central African Republic this week reached a peace deal between the government and 14 militia groups, boosting hopes of an end of a crisis that has gripped the country since 2012, sparking a conflict that left thousands dead and over a million displaced. "All these circumstances were realized through the combination of efforts of the UN and AU... to make sure guns will be silent from 2020 onwards on the African continent," said Guterres. "I believe Africa is becoming an example where it is possible to solve conflicts and prevent conflicts and I hope this wind of hope can be extended to other parts of the world."

UN chief sees 'wind of hope' in African peace deals, elections

The United Nations will not join any group of nations promoting initiatives to resolve the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">crisis in Venezuela</a>, the UN chief said Monday, indicating he will not attend a meeting in Uruguay this week of several countries.

Mexico and Uruguay had hoped that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would attend a conference in Montevideo on Thursday aimed at promoting dialogue between Venezuela's self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido and leader Nicolas Maduro.

"The UN Secretariat has decided not to be part of any of these groups in order to give credibility to our continued offer of good offices to the parties to be able at their request to help find a political solution," Guterres told reporters.

Guaido has won backing from the United States, European powers including France, Germany and Spain, Canada, Australia and a dozen Latin American countries to take over the leadership, but Russia and China continue to support Maduro.

The global split over Venezuela has left the United Nations in a quandary and Guterres' comments suggested that the world body would remain on the sidelines for now.&nbsp;

Mexico and Uruguay have not recognized Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who declared himself acting president on January 23 in place of Maduro.

A group of Latin American and European states are to hold their first meeting of a contact group in Montevideo on Thursday.

The contact group comprises the EU and eight of its member states -- France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden -- and four Latin American countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay.

Guterres said he was following the crisis in Venezuela "with a lot of concern," adding that he had discussed the various initiatives put forward with the countries involved.

The UN chief met with Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations Juan Jose Gomez Camacho last week who said the Montevideo conference was to "offer a chance for dialogue to all parties involved."

Venezuela has suffered an economic meltdown marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities that the opposition blames on the Maduro government.

Millions have been left in poverty, while 2.3 million more have fled the country, unleashing a migration crisis in South America.

The United Nations will not join any group of nations promoting initiatives to resolve the crisis in Venezuela, the UN chief said Monday, indicating he will not attend a meeting in Uruguay this week of several countries.

The United Nations will not join any group of nations promoting initiatives to resolve the crisis in Venezuela, the UN chief said Monday, indicating he will not attend a meeting in Uruguay this week of several countries. Mexico and Uruguay had hoped that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would attend a conference in Montevideo on Thursday aimed at promoting dialogue between Venezuela's self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido and leader Nicolas Maduro. "The UN Secretariat has decided not to be part of any of these groups in order to give credibility to our continued offer of good offices to the parties to be able at their request to help find a political solution," Guterres told reporters. Guaido has won backing from the United States, European powers including France, Germany and Spain, Canada, Australia and a dozen Latin American countries to take over the leadership, but Russia and China continue to support Maduro. The global split over Venezuela has left the United Nations in a quandary and Guterres' comments suggested that the world body would remain on the sidelines for now. Mexico and Uruguay have not recognized Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who declared himself acting president on January 23 in place of Maduro. A group of Latin American and European states are to hold their first meeting of a contact group in Montevideo on Thursday. The contact group comprises the EU and eight of its member states -- France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden -- and four Latin American countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay. Guterres said he was following the crisis in Venezuela "with a lot of concern," adding that he had discussed the various initiatives put forward with the countries involved. The UN chief met with Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations Juan Jose Gomez Camacho last week who said the Montevideo conference was to "offer a chance for dialogue to all parties involved." Venezuela has suffered an economic meltdown marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities that the opposition blames on the Maduro government. Millions have been left in poverty, while 2.3 million more have fled the country, unleashing a migration crisis in South America.

UN will not join any group on Venezuela crisis talks: Antonio Guterres

Two peacekeepers from Sri Lanka died and six were wounded in central Mali Friday when their vehicle hit a mine, the UN said, urging a swift investigation to "bring the perpetrators to justice".

UN chief Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the latest attack, and a separate strike with an improvised explosive device Thursday that killed another peacekeeper, from Burkina Faso.

"The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," his office said in a statement issued in New York.

The UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) earlier said a logistics vehicle hit a mine near Douentza in the Mopti region, killing two blue helmets and severely wounding several others, who have since been evacuated for treatment.

The 14,000-strong UN military and police mission has been deployed in Mali since 2013 to help counter jihadist activity.

The casualties come after jihadist gunmen killed 10 Chadian peacekeepers and injured at least 25 others in an attack on a UN camp in Aguelhok, northern Mali on Sunday.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for that attack -- one of the deadliest strikes against the UN mission in the West African country.

The UN Security Council in a statement urged the Malian government "to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice."

It added that "involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions."

Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, has struggled to return to stability since extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the north in 2012, prompting French military intervention.

The jihadists were routed from key desert towns such as Timbuktu and Gao, but large stretches of the landlocked Sahel state remain out of government control.

A peace deal between the government and armed groups was signed in 2015, but implementation has been slow and attacks have continued in the centre and north.

In his last quarterly report on Mali, Guterres highlighted a rise in improvised explosive device attacks.&nbsp;

"The number of attacks of this type has increased steadily since January 2018, reaching 192, while there had been only 124 during the same period in 2017," according to the report.&nbsp;

Two peacekeepers from Sri Lanka died and six were wounded in central Mali Friday when their vehicle hit a mine, the UN said, urging a swift investigation to "bring the perpetrators to justice".

Two peacekeepers from Sri Lanka died and six were wounded in central Mali Friday when their vehicle hit a mine, the UN said, urging a swift investigation to "bring the perpetrators to justice". UN chief Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the latest attack, and a separate strike with an improvised explosive device Thursday that killed another peacekeeper, from Burkina Faso. "The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," his office said in a statement issued in New York. The UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) earlier said a logistics vehicle hit a mine near Douentza in the Mopti region, killing two blue helmets and severely wounding several others, who have since been evacuated for treatment. The 14,000-strong UN military and police mission has been deployed in Mali since 2013 to help counter jihadist activity. The casualties come after jihadist gunmen killed 10 Chadian peacekeepers and injured at least 25 others in an attack on a UN camp in Aguelhok, northern Mali on Sunday. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for that attack -- one of the deadliest strikes against the UN mission in the West African country. The UN Security Council in a statement urged the Malian government "to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice." It added that "involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions." Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, has struggled to return to stability since extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the north in 2012, prompting French military intervention. The jihadists were routed from key desert towns such as Timbuktu and Gao, but large stretches of the landlocked Sahel state remain out of government control. A peace deal between the government and armed groups was signed in 2015, but implementation has been slow and attacks have continued in the centre and north. In his last quarterly report on Mali, Guterres highlighted a rise in improvised explosive device attacks. "The number of attacks of this type has increased steadily since January 2018, reaching 192, while there had been only 124 during the same period in 2017," according to the report.

UN urges probe as mines kill peacekeepers in Mali

The world is "losing the race" against climate change, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Thursday at the elite Davos forum, demanding bolder action from governments to arrest catastrophic warming.

"Climate change is the defining issue of our time. We are losing the race," he said on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which has featured much hand-wringing on the crisis this week.

"It is absolutely central to reverse this trend."

Following a UN summit last month in Poland, which was designed to advance the Paris climate accord, Guterres said he was "not hopeful" that nations would find the necessary resolve.

But he stressed: "We need political will and we need governments&nbsp;who understand that this is the most important priority of our times."

The Paris accord has been shaken by the withdrawal of the United States under President Donald Trump, and by threats to do the same by Brazil's new hard-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro.

The UN secretary-general said the commitments made in Paris were already "not enough".&nbsp;

"If what we agreed in Paris would be materialised, the temperature would rise more than 3.0 degrees (Celsius)," he said on a Facebook Live broadcast from Davos.

"We need countries to make stronger commitments," Guterres said, calling for more measures to mitigate against climate change and adapt to it, along with financial aid for poorer countries.

A WEF survey ahead of the Davos meeting found climate change was the leading concern of forum participants around the world, noting in particular the growing frequency of extreme weather events.

Without stronger political action corporate executives in Davos such as Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of French energy giant Total, have been touting their own measures to transition to a greener economy.&nbsp;

"We don't look to renewables to be green," he told the CNBC channel in Davos on Thursday, noting that electricity is the fastest-growing segment of the energy market.

"We look to renewables because it's the best way to go in to this electricity market, but the electricity market will require also natural gas, so natural gas and renewables."&nbsp;

'Suicide pact'&nbsp;

But activists say companies are not doing nearly enough.

One vocal voice in Davos this week has been Swedish 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who has inspired a wave of climate protests by schoolchildren around the world after delivering a fiery speech at the UN climate summit in Katowice, Poland last month.&nbsp;

"They (companies) have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money," she told AFP in an interview.

Former secretary of state John Kerry, who signed the Paris accord for the United States in 2016, said 38 out of the 50 US states were implementing their own climate policies despite Trump's withdrawal and vocal scepticism on climate change.

The Paris pact was based partly on the expectation that the private sector would step up with new investment in areas such as batteries and solar panels, he noted.

"It's not happening enough, and even in Katowice recently, you saw the fight that was taking place, just to be able to try to be reasonable here," Kerry said in Davos Tuesday, also on CNBC.

"We're heading towards 4.0 degrees Centigrade increase in this century, and the passive indifference that most countries are accepting is basically a mutual suicide pact."

Another idea long in the mix of the climate debate is a carbon tax, which would factor in the polluting price of fossil fuels so as to discourage their use over time.&nbsp;

That has been anathema for many governments, including the United States well before Trump.&nbsp;

But it is gaining ground anew under an initiative by the Climate Leadership Council that is backed by 27 Nobel economics laureates and four former chairs of the Federal Reserve.

Ted Halstead, president of the US organisation, has been in Davos this week selling the idea of US households getting back the revenue raised, in the form of lump-sum rebates.

"A carbon tax offers the most cost-effective lever to reduce carbon emissions at the scale and speed that is necessary," signatories to the initiative said in a statement last week.

The world is "losing the race" against climate change, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Thursday at the elite Davos forum, demanding bolder action from governments to arrest catastrophic warming.

The world is "losing the race" against climate change, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Thursday at the elite Davos forum, demanding bolder action from governments to arrest catastrophic warming. "Climate change is the defining issue of our time. We are losing the race," he said on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which has featured much hand-wringing on the crisis this week. "It is absolutely central to reverse this trend." Following a UN summit last month in Poland, which was designed to advance the Paris climate accord, Guterres said he was "not hopeful" that nations would find the necessary resolve. But he stressed: "We need political will and we need governments who understand that this is the most important priority of our times." The Paris accord has been shaken by the withdrawal of the United States under President Donald Trump, and by threats to do the same by Brazil's new hard-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro. The UN secretary-general said the commitments made in Paris were already "not enough". "If what we agreed in Paris would be materialised, the temperature would rise more than 3.0 degrees (Celsius)," he said on a Facebook Live broadcast from Davos. "We need countries to make stronger commitments," Guterres said, calling for more measures to mitigate against climate change and adapt to it, along with financial aid for poorer countries. A WEF survey ahead of the Davos meeting found climate change was the leading concern of forum participants around the world, noting in particular the growing frequency of extreme weather events. Without stronger political action corporate executives in Davos such as Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of French energy giant Total, have been touting their own measures to transition to a greener economy. "We don't look to renewables to be green," he told the CNBC channel in Davos on Thursday, noting that electricity is the fastest-growing segment of the energy market. "We look to renewables because it's the best way to go in to this electricity market, but the electricity market will require also natural gas, so natural gas and renewables." 'Suicide pact' But activists say companies are not doing nearly enough. One vocal voice in Davos this week has been Swedish 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who has inspired a wave of climate protests by schoolchildren around the world after delivering a fiery speech at the UN climate summit in Katowice, Poland last month. "They (companies) have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money," she told AFP in an interview. Former secretary of state John Kerry, who signed the Paris accord for the United States in 2016, said 38 out of the 50 US states were implementing their own climate policies despite Trump's withdrawal and vocal scepticism on climate change. The Paris pact was based partly on the expectation that the private sector would step up with new investment in areas such as batteries and solar panels, he noted. "It's not happening enough, and even in Katowice recently, you saw the fight that was taking place, just to be able to try to be reasonable here," Kerry said in Davos Tuesday, also on CNBC. "We're heading towards 4.0 degrees Centigrade increase in this century, and the passive indifference that most countries are accepting is basically a mutual suicide pact." Another idea long in the mix of the climate debate is a carbon tax, which would factor in the polluting price of fossil fuels so as to discourage their use over time. That has been anathema for many governments, including the United States well before Trump. But it is gaining ground anew under an initiative by the Climate Leadership Council that is backed by 27 Nobel economics laureates and four former chairs of the Federal Reserve. Ted Halstead, president of the US organisation, has been in Davos this week selling the idea of US households getting back the revenue raised, in the form of lump-sum rebates. "A carbon tax offers the most cost-effective lever to reduce carbon emissions at the scale and speed that is necessary," signatories to the initiative said in a statement last week.

'We are losing the race' on climate change: UN chief Antonio Guterres

Sudanese police broke up several protests held after Friday prayers, as security agents arrested a top opposition leader following calls for more demonstrations against a rise in bread prices.

Angry crowds have taken to the streets in Khartoum and other cities since December 19 after a government decision to hike the cost of bread.

Nineteen people have been killed so far in the protests, the government said, and the UN on Friday called on the authorities in Sudan to investigate the deaths.

Police fired tear gas at hundreds of worshippers who staged demonstrations after Friday prayers in several cities, including Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman on the west bank of the Nile, witnesses said.

Photographs posted by activists on social media networks showed thick plumes of smoke rising from some neighbourhoods in Khartoum as protesters burnt garbage and tyres.

In Omdurman, crowds of worshippers chanted "Freedom, Peace, Justice" as they poured out of a mosque belonging to main opposition National Umma Party, a witness said.

But they were quickly confronted by anti-riot police, the witness added.

The protests came as opposition groups called for more anti-government rallies to be held over the next few days.

A group of opposition parties met late on Thursday and agreed to "push for more protests" in the coming days, the Sudanese Communist Party said in a statement.

Several opposition party members have been arrested amid a crackdown on demonstrations.

UN expert alarmed

The opposition Sudanese Congress Party said that a few hours after protests began on Friday its chief Omar el-Digeir was arrested by security agents.

"He has been taken to an unknown location," the party said in a statement.

The Sudanese Writers' Association said that well-known poet Mohamed Taha had also been arrested on Tuesday after he participated in a protest in Khartoum.

"We don't know his whereabouts," the association said.

The Sudanese journalists network said that two journalists were detained.&nbsp;

Among those killed in the protests -- which first erupted in towns and villages and later spread to Khartoum -- were two security personnel, according to the government.&nbsp;

Most died during "incidents of looting", while 219 people were wounded, said government spokesman Boshara Juma, adding that no deaths had been reported in Khartoum so far.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed "for calm and restraint" and called on "the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths and violence", a UN spokesman said in a statement.

The UN chief is "following with concern" developments in Sudan and "emphasises the need to safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful assembly", the spokesman added.

Late on Friday a minister said police had captured a group belonging to a prominent rebel leader from war-torn Darfur that had plans to "kill demonstrators".

"Police captured 10 people belonging to SLA/Abdel Wahid group along with 14 Kalashnikovs and 1,000 bullets," Minister of State for Information Mamoun Hassan said.

He said police also confiscated some computers from the group.

"Documents inside the computers reveal that these people had plans to kill demonstrators," Hassan said.

Crowds of people have rallied since last week after the government raised the price of a loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents).

Although most protests are against the high cost of living and food prices, some protesters have also adopted the slogan used in the 2011 Arab Spring -- "the people want the fall of the regime".

Sudan is facing an acute foreign exchange crisis and soaring inflation, despite Washington lifting an economic embargo in October 2017.

Inflation is running at 70 percent and the Sudanese pound has plunged in value, while shortages of bread and fuel have regularly hit several cities.

Sudanese police broke up several protests held after Friday prayers, as security agents arrested a top opposition leader following calls for more demonstrations against a rise in bread prices.

Sudanese police broke up several protests held after Friday prayers, as security agents arrested a top opposition leader following calls for more demonstrations against a rise in bread prices. Angry crowds have taken to the streets in Khartoum and other cities since December 19 after a government decision to hike the cost of bread. Nineteen people have been killed so far in the protests, the government said, and the UN on Friday called on the authorities in Sudan to investigate the deaths. Police fired tear gas at hundreds of worshippers who staged demonstrations after Friday prayers in several cities, including Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman on the west bank of the Nile, witnesses said. Photographs posted by activists on social media networks showed thick plumes of smoke rising from some neighbourhoods in Khartoum as protesters burnt garbage and tyres. In Omdurman, crowds of worshippers chanted "Freedom, Peace, Justice" as they poured out of a mosque belonging to main opposition National Umma Party, a witness said. But they were quickly confronted by anti-riot police, the witness added. The protests came as opposition groups called for more anti-government rallies to be held over the next few days. A group of opposition parties met late on Thursday and agreed to "push for more protests" in the coming days, the Sudanese Communist Party said in a statement. Several opposition party members have been arrested amid a crackdown on demonstrations. UN expert alarmed The opposition Sudanese Congress Party said that a few hours after protests began on Friday its chief Omar el-Digeir was arrested by security agents. "He has been taken to an unknown location," the party said in a statement. The Sudanese Writers' Association said that well-known poet Mohamed Taha had also been arrested on Tuesday after he participated in a protest in Khartoum. "We don't know his whereabouts," the association said. The Sudanese journalists network said that two journalists were detained. Among those killed in the protests -- which first erupted in towns and villages and later spread to Khartoum -- were two security personnel, according to the government. Most died during "incidents of looting", while 219 people were wounded, said government spokesman Boshara Juma, adding that no deaths had been reported in Khartoum so far. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed "for calm and restraint" and called on "the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths and violence", a UN spokesman said in a statement. The UN chief is "following with concern" developments in Sudan and "emphasises the need to safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful assembly", the spokesman added. Late on Friday a minister said police had captured a group belonging to a prominent rebel leader from war-torn Darfur that had plans to "kill demonstrators". "Police captured 10 people belonging to SLA/Abdel Wahid group along with 14 Kalashnikovs and 1,000 bullets," Minister of State for Information Mamoun Hassan said. He said police also confiscated some computers from the group. "Documents inside the computers reveal that these people had plans to kill demonstrators," Hassan said. Crowds of people have rallied since last week after the government raised the price of a loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents). Although most protests are against the high cost of living and food prices, some protesters have also adopted the slogan used in the 2011 Arab Spring -- "the people want the fall of the regime". Sudan is facing an acute foreign exchange crisis and soaring inflation, despite Washington lifting an economic embargo in October 2017. Inflation is running at 70 percent and the Sudanese pound has plunged in value, while shortages of bread and fuel have regularly hit several cities.

Sudan police break up new protests as opposition leader arrested

Bangladesh's deadly election campaign entered a final full day Thursday with followers of Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-polls-2018-pm-hasina-eyes-another-term-set-to-challenge-opposition-counter-terrorism-186795">Sheikh Hasina</a> parading in the streets while her opponents insisted the vote would not be free and fair.

Both sides launched new salvoes in their war of words ahead of Sunday's polling.

Hasina accused the opposition of organising bomb attacks while the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-violence-youths-carrying-awami-league-banner-attack-bnp-candidate-186668">Bangladesh Nationalist Party</a>&nbsp;said "the state" was aiding an assault on the opposition.

Thousands of flag-waving supporters of the ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday.

The BNP, whose leader is in jail, said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet however.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-and-isi-trying-to-sabotage-elections-with-bnp-help-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-to-wion-186762">Pakistan and ISI trying to sabotage elections with BNP help: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to WION</a>

At least six people -- four from the BNP and two from the Awami League -- have been killed since the campaign started on November 8.

The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami say more than 11,500 of their followers have been arrested and thousand of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers.

Amid international concern over events, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-are-bangladesh-elections-important-186782">Why are Bangladesh elections important?</a>

Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll," said a spokesman.

'Blind' opposition

Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process," the UN leader added through his spokesman.

The United States called off an observer mission it was financing because of delays issuing visas. Human Rights Watch has said the election was being conducted in a "repressive political environment".&nbsp;

Hasina, seeking a third straight term and a record fourth in all, has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement her ambitious economic plans.

Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies".

"There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said.

Hasina focused a speech broadcast by video late Wednesday to supporters in Dhaka on the impressive economic growth of the past decade.

She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average incomes to more than $5,400 by 2030.

Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise Bangladesh's achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said.

"I call upon people to continue the pace of improvement and give us more scope to serve again."

The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power.

But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press.

BNP leader Khaleda Zia, an arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges.

"The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters. "All the attacks are made on BNP people."

"It is very unfortunate and unimaginable that these attacks are being sponsored by the state itself," he added, according to the Daily Star.

The BNP-led opposition alliance has accused police of siding with the Awami League and said they were barred from holding a final rally on Thursday.

Police turned down their request to hold a meeting in Dhaka, an alliance spokesman Latfiul Bari Hamim told AFP. Dhaka police said they were not aware of the request.

At least six people -- four from the BNP and two from the Awami League -- have been killed since the campaign started on November 8.

Bangladesh's deadly election campaign entered a final full day Thursday with followers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina parading in the streets while her opponents insisted the vote would not be free and fair. Both sides launched new salvoes in their war of words ahead of Sunday's polling. Hasina accused the opposition of organising bomb attacks while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party said "the state" was aiding an assault on the opposition. Thousands of flag-waving supporters of the ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday. The BNP, whose leader is in jail, said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet however. Also read: Pakistan and ISI trying to sabotage elections with BNP help: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to WION At least six people -- four from the BNP and two from the Awami League -- have been killed since the campaign started on November 8. The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami say more than 11,500 of their followers have been arrested and thousand of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers. Amid international concern over events, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm. Also read: Why are Bangladesh elections important? Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll," said a spokesman. 'Blind' opposition Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process," the UN leader added through his spokesman. The United States called off an observer mission it was financing because of delays issuing visas. Human Rights Watch has said the election was being conducted in a "repressive political environment". Hasina, seeking a third straight term and a record fourth in all, has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement her ambitious economic plans. Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies". "There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said. Hasina focused a speech broadcast by video late Wednesday to supporters in Dhaka on the impressive economic growth of the past decade. She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average incomes to more than $5,400 by 2030. Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise Bangladesh's achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said. "I call upon people to continue the pace of improvement and give us more scope to serve again." The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press. BNP leader Khaleda Zia, an arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges. "The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters. "All the attacks are made on BNP people." "It is very unfortunate and unimaginable that these attacks are being sponsored by the state itself," he added, according to the Daily Star. The BNP-led opposition alliance has accused police of siding with the Awami League and said they were barred from holding a final rally on Thursday. Police turned down their request to hold a meeting in Dhaka, an alliance spokesman Latfiul Bari Hamim told AFP. Dhaka police said they were not aware of the request.

Bangladesh: Violent election campaign ends with opposition fearing unfair voting

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a> Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/harassment-of-indian-diplomats-returns-in-islamabad-185684">Imran Khan telephoned</a> UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. 
 
When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). 
 
Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. 
 
In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations.&nbsp; External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. 
 
The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. 
 
India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan PM Imran Khan raised Kashmir issue with UN chief, says UN spokesman

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-general-assembly-adopts-refugee-pact-without-support-of-us-and-hungary-184909">UN General Assembly</a> has officially endorsed the first-ever international cooperation framework on migration for effectively addressing issues that concern the world's 258 million people on the move and countries of origin, transit and destination.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-conference-adopts-migration-pact-despite-withdrawals-183090">Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration</a> was adopted by the General Assembly with 152 votes in favour, 12 abstentions, and five votes against, namely by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Poland, and the United States of America.&nbsp;

An additional 24 Member States were not present to take part in the vote. India was among the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-150-governments-to-adopt-un-migration-pact-in-morocco-182775">152 countries that voted in favour</a> of the resolution endorsing the Global Compact, which was adopted by world leaders in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 10.

The document is the first-ever negotiated global framework on a common approach to international migration in all its dimensions.&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after the vote that the document "reaffirms the foundational principles of our global community, including national sovereignty and universal human rights while pointing the way toward humane and sensible action to benefit countries of origin, transit and destination as well as migrants themselves.&nbsp;

Guterres stressed that the Compact calls for greater solidarity with migrants in situations of appalling vulnerability and abuse,&nbsp;that it underscores the need to anticipate future trends, and that it highlights the imperative of devising more legal pathways for migration.

UN Special Representative for International Migration Louise Arbour who led the conference deliberations over the Compact in the Moroccan city of Marrakech last week, said that he formal endorsement represents a resounding commitment to an international migration framework based on fact, not myth, and to an understanding that national migration policies are best implemented through cooperation, not in isolation.

Though non-legally binding, the Compact is the outcome of a long negotiation process and provides a strong platform for cooperation on migration, drawing on best practice and international law.&nbsp;

Thanking all those who "helped to bring this landmark step to fruition," including civil society, migrants, diaspora communities, the private sector, trade unions, academic experts and municipal leaders, the UN chief said he hoped the ?countries that have chosen to remain outside the process will come to see the Compact's value and join this venture.&nbsp;

In statements explaining their decisions, countries that voted for the document stated often stressed the fact that this document is only a first step and that its realization will be where the work really starts. The sentiment was echoed by the UN chief who said that leadership will be crucial in bringing the Compact to life, and in avoiding the myths and disparaging discourse that have become all too frequent.&nbsp;

The UN Secretary-General noted that the United Nations, through the newly established UN Migration Network, stands ready to support the Member States and all partners "to make migration work for all".

The UN General Assembly has officially endorsed the first-ever international cooperation framework on migration for effectively addressing issues that concern the world's 258 million people on the move and countries of origin, transit and destination.

The UN General Assembly has officially endorsed the first-ever international cooperation framework on migration for effectively addressing issues that concern the world's 258 million people on the move and countries of origin, transit and destination. Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was adopted by the General Assembly with 152 votes in favour, 12 abstentions, and five votes against, namely by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Poland, and the United States of America. An additional 24 Member States were not present to take part in the vote. India was among the 152 countries that voted in favour of the resolution endorsing the Global Compact, which was adopted by world leaders in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 10. The document is the first-ever negotiated global framework on a common approach to international migration in all its dimensions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after the vote that the document "reaffirms the foundational principles of our global community, including national sovereignty and universal human rights while pointing the way toward humane and sensible action to benefit countries of origin, transit and destination as well as migrants themselves. Guterres stressed that the Compact calls for greater solidarity with migrants in situations of appalling vulnerability and abuse, that it underscores the need to anticipate future trends, and that it highlights the imperative of devising more legal pathways for migration. UN Special Representative for International Migration Louise Arbour who led the conference deliberations over the Compact in the Moroccan city of Marrakech last week, said that he formal endorsement represents a resounding commitment to an international migration framework based on fact, not myth, and to an understanding that national migration policies are best implemented through cooperation, not in isolation. Though non-legally binding, the Compact is the outcome of a long negotiation process and provides a strong platform for cooperation on migration, drawing on best practice and international law. Thanking all those who "helped to bring this landmark step to fruition," including civil society, migrants, diaspora communities, the private sector, trade unions, academic experts and municipal leaders, the UN chief said he hoped the ?countries that have chosen to remain outside the process will come to see the Compact's value and join this venture. In statements explaining their decisions, countries that voted for the document stated often stressed the fact that this document is only a first step and that its realization will be where the work really starts. The sentiment was echoed by the UN chief who said that leadership will be crucial in bringing the Compact to life, and in avoiding the myths and disparaging discourse that have become all too frequent. The UN Secretary-General noted that the United Nations, through the newly established UN Migration Network, stands ready to support the Member States and all partners "to make migration work for all".

General Assembly officially adopts roadmap for migrants to improve safety

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Sunday that "much worse" lay in store for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-parties-to-convene-for-fragile-peace-talks-in-sweden-181832">Yemen</a> in 2019 unless its warring parties strike a peace deal and head off a humanitarian crisis.

A high number of Yemenis have been dying in "very dramatic circumstances" as a result of food shortages, Guterres told a news conference in Doha.

The United Nations on Thursday brokered a ceasefire accord between the internationally-recognised government and Iran-aligned Huthi rebels to end hostilities in the flashpoint port city of Hodeida.

The deal followed a week of negotiations in Sweden as the United Nations bids to end the war in impoverished Yemen.

"The fact that famine was not yet declared does not in any way diminish our huge concern with a very high level of hunger that exists in Yemen" and "people dying in very dramatic circumstances", said Guterres.

"Without peace, we will be facing in 2019 a much worse situation than today."

Yemen has been engulfed by fighting between the Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi since 2014.

The war escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened on the government side.

The conflict has since killed nearly 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. Some rights groups believe the actual toll to be far higher.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Sunday that "much worse" lay in store for Yemen in 2019 unless its warring parties strike a peace deal and head off a humanitarian crisis.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Sunday that "much worse" lay in store for Yemen in 2019 unless its warring parties strike a peace deal and head off a humanitarian crisis. A high number of Yemenis have been dying in "very dramatic circumstances" as a result of food shortages, Guterres told a news conference in Doha. The United Nations on Thursday brokered a ceasefire accord between the internationally-recognised government and Iran-aligned Huthi rebels to end hostilities in the flashpoint port city of Hodeida. The deal followed a week of negotiations in Sweden as the United Nations bids to end the war in impoverished Yemen. "The fact that famine was not yet declared does not in any way diminish our huge concern with a very high level of hunger that exists in Yemen" and "people dying in very dramatic circumstances", said Guterres. "Without peace, we will be facing in 2019 a much worse situation than today." Yemen has been engulfed by fighting between the Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi since 2014. The war escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened on the government side. The conflict has since killed nearly 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. Some rights groups believe the actual toll to be far higher.

UN warns Yemen could face 'much worse' in 2019

A United Nations conference adopted a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/global-compact-for-migration-why-are-countries-opposing-it-182795">migration pact </a>in front of leaders and representatives from over 160 countries in Morocco on Monday, despite a string of withdrawals driven by anti-immigrant populism.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration -- finalised at the UN in July after 18 months of talks -- was formally approved with the bang of a gavel in Marrakesh at the start of a two-day conference.

But the United States and at least <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-150-governments-to-adopt-un-migration-pact-in-morocco-182775">16 other countries</a> either opted out or expressed concerns, with some claiming the pact infringes national sovereignty.

Billed as the first international document on managing migration, it lays out 23 objectives to open up legal migration and discourage illegal border crossings, as the number of people on the move globally has surged to more than 250 million.

Describing it as a "roadmap to prevent suffering and chaos", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sought to dispel what he called a number of myths around the pact, including claims it will allow the United Nations to impose migration policies on member states.

The pact "is not legally binding", he said. "It is a framework for international cooperation."

"We must not succumb to fear and false narratives", he told an audience that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela, Greek premier Alexis Tsipras, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Spain's premier Pedro Sanchez.

Merkel launched an impassioned defence of the pact and multilateralism, saying her country "through Nazism brought incredible pain to humanity".

"The answer to pure nationalism was the foundation of the United Nations and the commitment to jointly searching for answers to our common problems," she said.

She insisted the pact seeks to prevent, rather than encourage, illegal migration. "This is about safe, orderly and regular migration -- it says (this) clearly in the title."

Draconian measures&nbsp;

On Friday, the US hit out at the pact, labelling it "an effort by the United Nations to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of states".

It was the first country to disavow the negotiations late last year, while Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia have all pulled out of the process in recent months and weeks before Chile withdrew overnight.

Brazil also announced Monday it would withdraw from the pact from January when far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro takes office.

"Immigration is welcome, but it should not be indiscriminate," future foreign minister Ernesto Araujo tweeted, adding: "It must serve the national interests and cohesion of each society."&nbsp;

Rows over the accord have erupted in several European Union nations, hobbling <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-lapses-into-minority-government-over-un-migration-pact-row-182717">Belgium's coalition government </a>and pushing Slovakia's foreign minister to tender his resignation.

From the United States to Europe and beyond, right-wing and populist leaders have taken increasingly draconian measures to shut out migrants in recent years.

US President Donald Trump has pledged to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and has focused his recent ire on a migrant caravan from Central America, while a populist coalition government in Italy has clamped down on boats rescuing migrants at sea.

Belgium's liberal premier Charles Michel attended the conference after winning the support of parliament to back the accord but was left leading a minority government after a Flemish nationalist party said it will quit his coalition over the pact.

"This model of cooperation is complex, sometimes including steps forwards and sometimes banana skins," Michel told delegates.

The pact has been welcomed by the Catholic Church as an important step towards addressing migrants' needs and reducing their vulnerability.

"The Holy See is convinced that the enormous challenges that migration poses are best faced through multilateral processes rather than isolationist policies," said papal envoy Cardinal Piero Parolin.

Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras also welcomed the accord. These countries have worked on their own regional plan to manage migration, which El Salvador's foreign minister Carlos Castaneda told reporters represents the first effort to work within the framework of the global compact.

'Should be ethically binding'

The UN's children's agency said the pact could help provide better access to education and health for migrant children and offer "them stronger protection from exploitation and violence".

Other organisations, including Amnesty International and the International Federation of the Red Cross, see the accord as just a first step towards protecting migrants.

"We have heard repeatedly that this compact is not legally binding and does not impact on state sovereignty," said IFRC president Francesco Rocca at a press conference on the sidelines of the main dialogue.

"But if we are serious about fixing this problem, it should at the very least be ethically binding."

In comments by a representative, Morocco's King Mohammed VI -- absent from proceedings -- said the pact offers a way forwards that navigates between the two extremes of closing borders and allowing uncontrolled migration.

After the Marrakesh conference, the UN General Assembly is set to adopt a resolution formally endorsing the deal on December 19.

A United Nations conference adopted a migration pact in front of leaders and representatives from over 160 countries in Morocco on Monday, despite a string of withdrawals driven by anti-immigrant populism.

A United Nations conference adopted a migration pact in front of leaders and representatives from over 160 countries in Morocco on Monday, despite a string of withdrawals driven by anti-immigrant populism. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration -- finalised at the UN in July after 18 months of talks -- was formally approved with the bang of a gavel in Marrakesh at the start of a two-day conference. But the United States and at least 16 other countries either opted out or expressed concerns, with some claiming the pact infringes national sovereignty. Billed as the first international document on managing migration, it lays out 23 objectives to open up legal migration and discourage illegal border crossings, as the number of people on the move globally has surged to more than 250 million. Describing it as a "roadmap to prevent suffering and chaos", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sought to dispel what he called a number of myths around the pact, including claims it will allow the United Nations to impose migration policies on member states. The pact "is not legally binding", he said. "It is a framework for international cooperation." "We must not succumb to fear and false narratives", he told an audience that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela, Greek premier Alexis Tsipras, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Spain's premier Pedro Sanchez. Merkel launched an impassioned defence of the pact and multilateralism, saying her country "through Nazism brought incredible pain to humanity". "The answer to pure nationalism was the foundation of the United Nations and the commitment to jointly searching for answers to our common problems," she said. She insisted the pact seeks to prevent, rather than encourage, illegal migration. "This is about safe, orderly and regular migration -- it says (this) clearly in the title." Draconian measures On Friday, the US hit out at the pact, labelling it "an effort by the United Nations to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of states". It was the first country to disavow the negotiations late last year, while Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia have all pulled out of the process in recent months and weeks before Chile withdrew overnight. Brazil also announced Monday it would withdraw from the pact from January when far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro takes office. "Immigration is welcome, but it should not be indiscriminate," future foreign minister Ernesto Araujo tweeted, adding: "It must serve the national interests and cohesion of each society." Rows over the accord have erupted in several European Union nations, hobbling Belgium's coalition government and pushing Slovakia's foreign minister to tender his resignation. From the United States to Europe and beyond, right-wing and populist leaders have taken increasingly draconian measures to shut out migrants in recent years. US President Donald Trump has pledged to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and has focused his recent ire on a migrant caravan from Central America, while a populist coalition government in Italy has clamped down on boats rescuing migrants at sea. Belgium's liberal premier Charles Michel attended the conference after winning the support of parliament to back the accord but was left leading a minority government after a Flemish nationalist party said it will quit his coalition over the pact. "This model of cooperation is complex, sometimes including steps forwards and sometimes banana skins," Michel told delegates. The pact has been welcomed by the Catholic Church as an important step towards addressing migrants' needs and reducing their vulnerability. "The Holy See is convinced that the enormous challenges that migration poses are best faced through multilateral processes rather than isolationist policies," said papal envoy Cardinal Piero Parolin. Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras also welcomed the accord. These countries have worked on their own regional plan to manage migration, which El Salvador's foreign minister Carlos Castaneda told reporters represents the first effort to work within the framework of the global compact. 'Should be ethically binding' The UN's children's agency said the pact could help provide better access to education and health for migrant children and offer "them stronger protection from exploitation and violence". Other organisations, including Amnesty International and the International Federation of the Red Cross, see the accord as just a first step towards protecting migrants. "We have heard repeatedly that this compact is not legally binding and does not impact on state sovereignty," said IFRC president Francesco Rocca at a press conference on the sidelines of the main dialogue. "But if we are serious about fixing this problem, it should at the very least be ethically binding." In comments by a representative, Morocco's King Mohammed VI -- absent from proceedings -- said the pact offers a way forwards that navigates between the two extremes of closing borders and allowing uncontrolled migration. After the Marrakesh conference, the UN General Assembly is set to adopt a resolution formally endorsing the deal on December 19.

UN conference adopts migration pact despite withdrawals

Trillions of dollars - equivalent to more than five per cent of global GDP - are paid in bribes or stolen through corruption every year, according to the United Nations.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deemed corruption "an assault on the values of the United Nations," in a message on the International Anti-Corruption Day, which is marked each December 9.&nbsp;

He said that "it robs societies of schools, hospitals and other vital services, drives away foreign investment and strips nations of their natural resources,? he said.&nbsp;

One trillion dollars are paid in bribes annually, while another 2.6 trillion are stolen; all due to corruption.&nbsp;

The UN is fighting the global scourge, which affects both rich and poor countries, through initiatives like the global campaign launched jointly by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).&nbsp;

The campaign recognises corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achieving the SDGs, or 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agreed by all nations of the world in 2015, to advance the whole of humankind. And to counter that pernicious reality, the campaign is asking communities to use the Anti-Corruption logo during related events, and highlight community actions related to the Day on social platforms by using the hashtag #UnitedAgainstCorruption and tagging @UNDP, @UNODC.&nbsp;

Government officials, civil society, the private sector, and anti-corruption advocates can reference the campaign's "Call to Action Matrix", which offers recommendations for strategies to stand against corruption.&nbsp;

Additionally, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in 2003, exists as the only legally-binding, universal anti-corruption instrument. Its far-reaching approach covers the full spectrum of corruption, and a vast majority of Member States, 186, are parties to the&nbsp; 
Convention.&nbsp;

Guterres called the Convention a "primary tool" for advancing the fight and highlighted the positive outcomes made possible through its implementation.

"Through the Convention's peer review mechanism, we can work together to build a foundation of trust and accountability," said the UN chief.&nbsp;

Trillions of dollars - equivalent to more than five per cent of global GDP - are paid in bribes or stolen through corruption every year, according to the United Nations.

Trillions of dollars - equivalent to more than five per cent of global GDP - are paid in bribes or stolen through corruption every year, according to the United Nations. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deemed corruption "an assault on the values of the United Nations," in a message on the International Anti-Corruption Day, which is marked each December 9. He said that "it robs societies of schools, hospitals and other vital services, drives away foreign investment and strips nations of their natural resources,? he said. One trillion dollars are paid in bribes annually, while another 2.6 trillion are stolen; all due to corruption. The UN is fighting the global scourge, which affects both rich and poor countries, through initiatives like the global campaign launched jointly by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The campaign recognises corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achieving the SDGs, or 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agreed by all nations of the world in 2015, to advance the whole of humankind. And to counter that pernicious reality, the campaign is asking communities to use the Anti-Corruption logo during related events, and highlight community actions related to the Day on social platforms by using the hashtag #UnitedAgainstCorruption and tagging @UNDP, @UNODC. Government officials, civil society, the private sector, and anti-corruption advocates can reference the campaign's "Call to Action Matrix", which offers recommendations for strategies to stand against corruption. Additionally, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in 2003, exists as the only legally-binding, universal anti-corruption instrument. Its far-reaching approach covers the full spectrum of corruption, and a vast majority of Member States, 186, are parties to the Convention. Guterres called the Convention a "primary tool" for advancing the fight and highlighted the positive outcomes made possible through its implementation. "Through the Convention's peer review mechanism, we can work together to build a foundation of trust and accountability," said the UN chief.

Trillions of dollars paid in bribes, stolen through corruption every year: UN 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres the motivation for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/act-now-or-risk-disaster-world-told-at-un-climate-summit-181034">his "strong commitment" to climate action</a> is rooted in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas.

Modi and Guterres met last week on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the two held discussions about climate change and India's support for the Paris Climate Agreement.&nbsp;

The UN chief thanked Modi for his commitment to increase India's nationally-determined contributions to the Paris Agreement. Guterres had also held discussions with Modi during his three-day visit to India this year coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2. During that visit, Guterres had presented the Indian leader with the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award for policy leadership for 2018.&nbsp;

"It's not only Christianity, I was speaking to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi of India recently and asking him what was his motivation for his very strong commitment to climate action and he said it's in the Vedas, the founding books of Hinduism. I think this is felt in all religions,"Guterres said at a press conference in Poland Monday.&nbsp;

He was responding to a question on whether he thinks religions have a role to play in the field of climate change. The transcript of the Secretary General's joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda was issued by the UN spokesperson's office here.

Guterres is in the Polish city Katowice for the high-level UN COP24 Climate Change Conference. The two-week 24th conference of the parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) marks the deadline for the 197 parties that signed the Convention, to adopt guidelines for the implementation of the historic 2015 Paris Agreement.&nbsp;

In Paris, three years ago, countries collectively agreed to keep global temperature rises to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and if possible, to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Now, in Poland, they have to agree on how they will achieve this collectively.&nbsp;

Guterres was asked the question in a reference to Pope Francis' views on climate change.&nbsp;

"I do believe that if one is a believer and one believes that the world is created by God, it must be terrible to see human beings destroying God's creation. So I think it's perfectly normal that a religion that believes in the work of the Creator is totally against the destruction of the work of the Creator that human beings are (carrying out at present). So I think it is perfectly normal that his Holiness the Pope, not only this Pope, it comes from the past, have a very positive position in relation to climate action," he said.&nbsp;

Pope Francis has in the past called for a "revolution" to combat climate change, saying the consensus was clear and "doomsday predictions can no longer be met with irony or disdain".&nbsp;

Kicking off the high-level event in Poland, along with several other high-level representatives, Guterres highlighted key messages for the thousands of representatives of the world's nations, non-profit organisations, UN agencies, and private sector companies gathered in Katowice.&nbsp;

The Secretary-General noted that climate change is already "a matter of life and death" for many people, nations and countries of the world, and that the science is telling us we need to move faster.&nbsp;

Citing various alarming UN reports including one on rising global CO2 emissions and another one on increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, he called on nations to pay attention to the science and step up their pace as well as their ambitions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres the motivation for his "strong commitment" to climate action is rooted in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres the motivation for his "strong commitment" to climate action is rooted in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. Modi and Guterres met last week on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the two held discussions about climate change and India's support for the Paris Climate Agreement. The UN chief thanked Modi for his commitment to increase India's nationally-determined contributions to the Paris Agreement. Guterres had also held discussions with Modi during his three-day visit to India this year coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2. During that visit, Guterres had presented the Indian leader with the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award for policy leadership for 2018. "It's not only Christianity, I was speaking to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi of India recently and asking him what was his motivation for his very strong commitment to climate action and he said it's in the Vedas, the founding books of Hinduism. I think this is felt in all religions,"Guterres said at a press conference in Poland Monday. He was responding to a question on whether he thinks religions have a role to play in the field of climate change. The transcript of the Secretary General's joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda was issued by the UN spokesperson's office here. Guterres is in the Polish city Katowice for the high-level UN COP24 Climate Change Conference. The two-week 24th conference of the parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) marks the deadline for the 197 parties that signed the Convention, to adopt guidelines for the implementation of the historic 2015 Paris Agreement. In Paris, three years ago, countries collectively agreed to keep global temperature rises to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and if possible, to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Now, in Poland, they have to agree on how they will achieve this collectively. Guterres was asked the question in a reference to Pope Francis' views on climate change. "I do believe that if one is a believer and one believes that the world is created by God, it must be terrible to see human beings destroying God's creation. So I think it's perfectly normal that a religion that believes in the work of the Creator is totally against the destruction of the work of the Creator that human beings are (carrying out at present). So I think it is perfectly normal that his Holiness the Pope, not only this Pope, it comes from the past, have a very positive position in relation to climate action," he said. Pope Francis has in the past called for a "revolution" to combat climate change, saying the consensus was clear and "doomsday predictions can no longer be met with irony or disdain". Kicking off the high-level event in Poland, along with several other high-level representatives, Guterres highlighted key messages for the thousands of representatives of the world's nations, non-profit organisations, UN agencies, and private sector companies gathered in Katowice. The Secretary-General noted that climate change is already "a matter of life and death" for many people, nations and countries of the world, and that the science is telling us we need to move faster. Citing various alarming UN reports including one on rising global CO2 emissions and another one on increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, he called on nations to pay attention to the science and step up their pace as well as their ambitions.

My 'strong commitment' to climate action rooted in Vedas, Modi tells UN chief

The world is "way off course" in its plan to prevent catastrophic climate change, the United Nations warned Monday as nations gathered in Poland to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming.&nbsp;

After a string of damning scientific reports showing humanity must drastically slash its greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told delegates at the opening of a UN climate summit: "We are still not doing enough, nor moving fast enough".

Monday will see leaders from at-risk nations such as Fiji, Nigeria and Nepal plead their case at the COP24 climate talks, which aim to flesh out the promises agreed in the 2015 Paris climate accord.&nbsp;

But host Poland -- heavily reliant on energy from coal -- will push its own agenda: a "just transition" from fossil fuels that critics say could allow it to continue polluting for decades.

Nor are any of the world's largest emitters represented at the highest level in Poland.

The Paris deal saw nations agree to limit global temperature rises to below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) and under 1.5C if possible.&nbsp;

Officials from nearly 200 countries now have two weeks to finalise how those goals work in practice, even as science suggests the pace of climate change is rapidly outstripping mankind's response.

One of the key disputes is finance.&nbsp;

Under Paris, richer nations -- responsible for the majority of historic greenhouse gas emissions -- are expected to contribute funding that developing nations can access to make their economies greener.

But US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris accord has dented trust among vulnerable nations, who fear there is not enough cash available to help them adapt to our heating planet.

$200 billion pledged

The World Bank on Monday announced $200 billion (175 billion euros) in climate action investment for 2021-25 -- a major shot in the arm for green initiatives but one which needs bolstering by state funding.&nbsp;

The background to Monday's summit could hardly be bleaker: with just one degree Celsius of warming so far, Earth is bombarded with raging wildfires, widespread crop failures and super-storms exacerbated by rising sea levels.

"Even as we witness devastating climate impacts causing havoc across the world, we are still not doing enough, nor moving fast enough, to prevent irreversible and catastrophic climate disruption," Guterres said.&nbsp;

The UN's own expert climate panel in October issued its starkest warning to date.&nbsp;

To have any hope of reaching the 1.5C goal by the end of the century, it said emissions from fossil fuel use must be halved by 2030.&nbsp;

Poland is one of many nations heavily reliant on coal and wants this round of talks to reflect the role fossil fuels play in its economy.&nbsp;

On Monday, it will unveil a declaration calling on states to "recognise the challenges faced by sectors, cities and regions in transition from fossil fuels... and the importance to ensure a decent future for workers impacted by the transition."

'Generation that betrayed humanity'

As Poland pushed the continued use of coal, it fell to the president of Nauru, a Pacific island nation that is critically threatened by rising sea-levels, to point out the most obvious barrier to climate action: fossil fuel use.

Baron Divavesi Waqa said the Paris agreement "doesn't radically disrupt the fossil fuel industry... these powerful interests emerged from Paris unscathed and we ignore that reality at our peril."

Frank Bainimarama, prime minister of Fiji and president of last year's COP, said developed nations must act now to save the planet.

"Or, God forbid, (we) ignore the irrefutable evidence and become the generation that betrayed humanity," he said.

The world is "way off course" in its plan to prevent catastrophic climate change, the United Nations warned Monday as nations gathered in Poland to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming.

The world is "way off course" in its plan to prevent catastrophic climate change, the United Nations warned Monday as nations gathered in Poland to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming. After a string of damning scientific reports showing humanity must drastically slash its greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told delegates at the opening of a UN climate summit: "We are still not doing enough, nor moving fast enough". Monday will see leaders from at-risk nations such as Fiji, Nigeria and Nepal plead their case at the COP24 climate talks, which aim to flesh out the promises agreed in the 2015 Paris climate accord. But host Poland -- heavily reliant on energy from coal -- will push its own agenda: a "just transition" from fossil fuels that critics say could allow it to continue polluting for decades. Nor are any of the world's largest emitters represented at the highest level in Poland. The Paris deal saw nations agree to limit global temperature rises to below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) and under 1.5C if possible. Officials from nearly 200 countries now have two weeks to finalise how those goals work in practice, even as science suggests the pace of climate change is rapidly outstripping mankind's response. One of the key disputes is finance. Under Paris, richer nations -- responsible for the majority of historic greenhouse gas emissions -- are expected to contribute funding that developing nations can access to make their economies greener. But US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris accord has dented trust among vulnerable nations, who fear there is not enough cash available to help them adapt to our heating planet. $200 billion pledged The World Bank on Monday announced $200 billion (175 billion euros) in climate action investment for 2021-25 -- a major shot in the arm for green initiatives but one which needs bolstering by state funding. The background to Monday's summit could hardly be bleaker: with just one degree Celsius of warming so far, Earth is bombarded with raging wildfires, widespread crop failures and super-storms exacerbated by rising sea levels. "Even as we witness devastating climate impacts causing havoc across the world, we are still not doing enough, nor moving fast enough, to prevent irreversible and catastrophic climate disruption," Guterres said. The UN's own expert climate panel in October issued its starkest warning to date. To have any hope of reaching the 1.5C goal by the end of the century, it said emissions from fossil fuel use must be halved by 2030. Poland is one of many nations heavily reliant on coal and wants this round of talks to reflect the role fossil fuels play in its economy. On Monday, it will unveil a declaration calling on states to "recognise the challenges faced by sectors, cities and regions in transition from fossil fuels... and the importance to ensure a decent future for workers impacted by the transition." 'Generation that betrayed humanity' As Poland pushed the continued use of coal, it fell to the president of Nauru, a Pacific island nation that is critically threatened by rising sea-levels, to point out the most obvious barrier to climate action: fossil fuel use. Baron Divavesi Waqa said the Paris agreement "doesn't radically disrupt the fossil fuel industry... these powerful interests emerged from Paris unscathed and we ignore that reality at our peril." Frank Bainimarama, prime minister of Fiji and president of last year's COP, said developed nations must act now to save the planet. "Or, God forbid, (we) ignore the irrefutable evidence and become the generation that betrayed humanity," he said.

World 'way off course', UN warns at crunch climate summit

Sri Lanka's new prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers have defected from the party led by President Maithripala Sirisena, splitting with the president barely two weeks after he installed Rajapaksa in office.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-sacks-parliament-after-power-struggle-minister-176486">Sirisena dissolved parliament </a>on Friday night and called a general election for January 5 in a move that has drawn international criticism as it is likely to deepen the country's political crisis.

An intense power struggle has erupted in Sri Lanka in the past two weeks following Sirisena's sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of former leader Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman, in his place.

Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers of the Sirisena-led centre-left Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Sunday joined Sri Lanka Podujana Peremuna (SLPP), a political party formed in 2016 by Rajapaksa's younger brother Basil, a former economy minister.

An SLPP source said 65 out of 82 former SLFP MPs will eventually join the new party.

Namal Rajapaksa, an ex-lawmaker and son of Rajapaksa, said the SLFP's policies had not been pursued by Sirisena in the coalition government with the Wickremesinghe-led centre-right United National Party (UNP).

"We all decided that this is the right time to join the SLPP," he told Reuters.

The SLPP recorded a landslide victory in local polls in February after Rajapaksa backed it. He did that while remaining in the SLFP.

Sirisena's allies have told Reuters that he wants a SLFP-led government. However, the defections will weaken Sirisena's more than seven-decade old party, they say.

Rohana Piyadaya, the SLFP secretary general declined to comment on the defections.

Sirisena's move to sack the parliament has drawn international criticism.

Farhan Haq, the spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a statement that Guterres has underlined the utmost importance of respecting democratic processes and institutions and resolving differences in accordance with the rule of law and due process.

"He renews his call on the Government to ensure peace and safety for all Sri Lankans and uphold its commitments to human rights, justice and reconciliation," the spokesman said.

Sirisena previously defected from the SLFP, then led by Rajapaksa, in 2014 to join an opposition coalition that ousted Rajapaksa.

Later Sirisena rejoined the SLFP, took over its leadership and formed a national government with Wickremesinghe's party.

However, a rift developed over policy towards China and India - Wickremesinghe has favoured Indian investment as a counter to Chinese inroads in Sri Lankan infrastructure projects - and over Sirisena's intention to contest the 2020 presidential election under Wickremesinghe's party.

Sri Lanka's new prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers have defected from the party led by President Maithripala Sirisena, splitting with the president barely two weeks after he installed Rajapaksa in office.

Sri Lanka's new prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers have defected from the party led by President Maithripala Sirisena, splitting with the president barely two weeks after he installed Rajapaksa in office. Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night and called a general election for January 5 in a move that has drawn international criticism as it is likely to deepen the country's political crisis. An intense power struggle has erupted in Sri Lanka in the past two weeks following Sirisena's sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of former leader Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman, in his place. Rajapaksa and 44 former lawmakers of the Sirisena-led centre-left Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Sunday joined Sri Lanka Podujana Peremuna (SLPP), a political party formed in 2016 by Rajapaksa's younger brother Basil, a former economy minister. An SLPP source said 65 out of 82 former SLFP MPs will eventually join the new party. Namal Rajapaksa, an ex-lawmaker and son of Rajapaksa, said the SLFP's policies had not been pursued by Sirisena in the coalition government with the Wickremesinghe-led centre-right United National Party (UNP). "We all decided that this is the right time to join the SLPP," he told Reuters. The SLPP recorded a landslide victory in local polls in February after Rajapaksa backed it. He did that while remaining in the SLFP. Sirisena's allies have told Reuters that he wants a SLFP-led government. However, the defections will weaken Sirisena's more than seven-decade old party, they say. Rohana Piyadaya, the SLFP secretary general declined to comment on the defections. Sirisena's move to sack the parliament has drawn international criticism. Farhan Haq, the spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a statement that Guterres has underlined the utmost importance of respecting democratic processes and institutions and resolving differences in accordance with the rule of law and due process. "He renews his call on the Government to ensure peace and safety for all Sri Lankans and uphold its commitments to human rights, justice and reconciliation," the spokesman said. Sirisena previously defected from the SLFP, then led by Rajapaksa, in 2014 to join an opposition coalition that ousted Rajapaksa. Later Sirisena rejoined the SLFP, took over its leadership and formed a national government with Wickremesinghe's party. However, a rift developed over policy towards China and India - Wickremesinghe has favoured Indian investment as a counter to Chinese inroads in Sri Lankan infrastructure projects - and over Sirisena's intention to contest the 2020 presidential election under Wickremesinghe's party.

Sri Lanka PM, 44 ex-MPs defect from party led by president ahead of election

India has called for the UN Security Council sanctions regime to "proactively" list terrorists and terror groups involved in sexual violence in armed conflicts, underscoring that prosecution of criminals engaged in trans-boundary crimes is critical to deliver justice to victims.

First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Paulomi Tripathi, on Thursday said that women's role and perspectives in peace processes remain largely neglected despite the normative and operative frameworks relating to women, peace and security agenda having been considerably strengthened across the UN system over the last two decades.

She voiced concern that sexual violence, abductions and human trafficking continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations.&nbsp;

"Rapidly expanding trans-boundary criminal networks finance terror, supply arms, recruit and train of foreign fighters and destabilise whole regions which disproportionately affect women," she said during a UN Security Council debate on 'Women, Peace and Security'.

Tripathi noted that large scale movements of refugees emanating from armed conflicts increase the vulnerability of women to discrimination and exploitation. Emphasising the need for global cooperation in this front, she said no country is in a position to effectively counter these challenges alone.

"As the General Assembly focuses on gender sensitive and inclusive development to build peaceful and resilient societies, the Council must push for effective cooperation on countering terrorism that threatens peace and security," she said.

Tripathi asserted that the Council must make all efforts to realise the full potential of integrating women, peace and security considerations in sanctions regimes.&nbsp;

"The Sanctions Committees of the Security Council need to address the issue of proactively listing terrorist individuals and entities involved in sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts.&nbsp;

"International cooperation for prosecution of criminals engaged in trans-boundary crimes is important to bring justice to the victims, large number of whom is women and girls," she said.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Council's annual high-level debate that the participation of women in formal peace processes remains extremely limited and the international community still has "far to go" as conflict continues to have a devastating effect on women and girls.

He said between 1990 and 2017, women constituted just 2 per cent of the mediators, 8 per cent of the negotiators and 5 per cent of the witnesses and the signatories in all major peace processes.

The UN documented more than 800 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2017, a 56 per cent increase since 2016, he said.

"Women human rights defenders, political leaders, journalists and activists, who play an important role in addressing the root causes of conflict, are targeted at alarming rates," Guterres said adding that women's marginalisation, lack of access to health and education services, and economic disempowerment continue to be both a cause and an effect of conflict.

He also voiced concern that funding for programmes to promote gender equality and empowerment of women in countries affected by conflict is just 5 per cent of the total bilateral aid to such countries.

Tripathi pointed out that the importance of women's active engagement and leadership in peace and reconciliation processes and in countering spread of violent extremism is well established.

She said the issue of women peace and security has also to be seen in the wider societal context, involving gender and development issues, which are dealt with outside the Council.

Tripathi told the 15-nation UN body that India is committed to a higher representation of women in peacekeeping missions and has fulfilled the pledge to have 15 per cent of military observers as women.

India has recently partnered with the UN Women toward a capacity building initiative. Under the initiative, the New Delhi-based Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUPNK) conducted the third UN female military officers course for 40 women military officers from 26 countries.

India also fully supports UN Secretary General's zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse, and strong commitment to achieving gender parity in peace operations, she said.&nbsp;

Despite greater participation of women in building and sustaining peace and the recognition from all quarters of the value they bring, the realities on the ground show that much more remains to be done, Guterres said.

"Every year, we make laudable commitments. But they are not backed with the requisite financial and political support," he said, noting lack of inclusion in mediation efforts and limited space for women to participate as peace builders.

He said it was "crippling to our credibility and protection capacity that women represent only four per cent of our military peacekeepers and ten per cent of police".&nbsp;

He added that the UN fully supports the innovative efforts launched by the member states this year to incentivise greater women representation.

India has called for the UN Security Council sanctions regime to "proactively" list terrorists and terror groups involved in sexual violence in armed conflicts, underscoring that prosecution of criminals engaged in trans-boundary crimes is critical to deliver justice to victims.

India has called for the UN Security Council sanctions regime to "proactively" list terrorists and terror groups involved in sexual violence in armed conflicts, underscoring that prosecution of criminals engaged in trans-boundary crimes is critical to deliver justice to victims. First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Paulomi Tripathi, on Thursday said that women's role and perspectives in peace processes remain largely neglected despite the normative and operative frameworks relating to women, peace and security agenda having been considerably strengthened across the UN system over the last two decades. She voiced concern that sexual violence, abductions and human trafficking continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations. "Rapidly expanding trans-boundary criminal networks finance terror, supply arms, recruit and train of foreign fighters and destabilise whole regions which disproportionately affect women," she said during a UN Security Council debate on 'Women, Peace and Security'. Tripathi noted that large scale movements of refugees emanating from armed conflicts increase the vulnerability of women to discrimination and exploitation. Emphasising the need for global cooperation in this front, she said no country is in a position to effectively counter these challenges alone. "As the General Assembly focuses on gender sensitive and inclusive development to build peaceful and resilient societies, the Council must push for effective cooperation on countering terrorism that threatens peace and security," she said. Tripathi asserted that the Council must make all efforts to realise the full potential of integrating women, peace and security considerations in sanctions regimes. "The Sanctions Committees of the Security Council need to address the issue of proactively listing terrorist individuals and entities involved in sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts. "International cooperation for prosecution of criminals engaged in trans-boundary crimes is important to bring justice to the victims, large number of whom is women and girls," she said. Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Council's annual high-level debate that the participation of women in formal peace processes remains extremely limited and the international community still has "far to go" as conflict continues to have a devastating effect on women and girls. He said between 1990 and 2017, women constituted just 2 per cent of the mediators, 8 per cent of the negotiators and 5 per cent of the witnesses and the signatories in all major peace processes. The UN documented more than 800 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2017, a 56 per cent increase since 2016, he said. "Women human rights defenders, political leaders, journalists and activists, who play an important role in addressing the root causes of conflict, are targeted at alarming rates," Guterres said adding that women's marginalisation, lack of access to health and education services, and economic disempowerment continue to be both a cause and an effect of conflict. He also voiced concern that funding for programmes to promote gender equality and empowerment of women in countries affected by conflict is just 5 per cent of the total bilateral aid to such countries. Tripathi pointed out that the importance of women's active engagement and leadership in peace and reconciliation processes and in countering spread of violent extremism is well established. She said the issue of women peace and security has also to be seen in the wider societal context, involving gender and development issues, which are dealt with outside the Council. Tripathi told the 15-nation UN body that India is committed to a higher representation of women in peacekeeping missions and has fulfilled the pledge to have 15 per cent of military observers as women. India has recently partnered with the UN Women toward a capacity building initiative. Under the initiative, the New Delhi-based Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUPNK) conducted the third UN female military officers course for 40 women military officers from 26 countries. India also fully supports UN Secretary General's zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse, and strong commitment to achieving gender parity in peace operations, she said. Despite greater participation of women in building and sustaining peace and the recognition from all quarters of the value they bring, the realities on the ground show that much more remains to be done, Guterres said. "Every year, we make laudable commitments. But they are not backed with the requisite financial and political support," he said, noting lack of inclusion in mediation efforts and limited space for women to participate as peace builders. He said it was "crippling to our credibility and protection capacity that women represent only four per cent of our military peacekeepers and ten per cent of police". He added that the UN fully supports the innovative efforts launched by the member states this year to incentivise greater women representation.

India calls for UN sanctions against terrorists involved in sexual violence

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction caused in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli, saying the world body is ready to support the government's response to the calamity.

"The Secretary-General is saddened by reports of death and injury in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states in India due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli,? a statement issued Monday by Guterres' spokesman said.

Guterres said the UN stands in solidarity with the Government of India as it responds to this calamity and is ready to support the response.&nbsp;

The death toll in cyclone Titli, which made a landfall on October 11, and the subsequent flood in Odisha has risen to 27. A total of 3,60,353 people were evacuated and sheltered in 1,614 relief centres.&nbsp;

Millions of people have been affected in Odisha mainly in the worst-hit districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada, and thousands of houses were damaged in Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

Cyclone Titli also disrupted road and telecommunications networks and power supplies.

The secretary-general extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of India and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction caused in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli, saying the world body is ready to support the government's response to the calamity.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction caused in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli, saying the world body is ready to support the government's response to the calamity. "The Secretary-General is saddened by reports of death and injury in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states in India due to landslides and flooding following Cyclone Titli,? a statement issued Monday by Guterres' spokesman said. Guterres said the UN stands in solidarity with the Government of India as it responds to this calamity and is ready to support the response. The death toll in cyclone Titli, which made a landfall on October 11, and the subsequent flood in Odisha has risen to 27. A total of 3,60,353 people were evacuated and sheltered in 1,614 relief centres. Millions of people have been affected in Odisha mainly in the worst-hit districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada, and thousands of houses were damaged in Andhra Pradesh. Cyclone Titli also disrupted road and telecommunications networks and power supplies. The secretary-general extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of India and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

UN Chief saddened over destruction caused by cyclone Titli in Odisha, Andhra

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who is on a three-day visit to India participated in the 150th birth anniversary of India's iconic freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday.

He visited Raj Ghat and laid a wreath to honour Gandhi.

The UN chief will also speak at a closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Conference along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He will also participate in the International Solar Alliance Assembly and a meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association energy ministers.

The UN Chief&nbsp;arrived in the country on Monday and formally inaugurated the UN House in the national capital.

On his visit, Guterres said that he was delighted to be back to Delhi and wished enormous success in the deepening of the cooperation between India and the United Nations.

During his three-day stay, he is expected to discuss key global issues such as climate change and terrorism with PM Modi. He will also meet Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with other senior leaders of the country.

Guterres is also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the India Habitat Centre on the theme 'Global challenges, global solutions'.

Guterres had visited the country, earlier in 2016, months before his election as the Secretary-General.

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who is on a three-day visit to India participated in the 150th birth anniversary of India's iconic freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday.

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who is on a three-day visit to India participated in the 150th birth anniversary of India's iconic freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday. He visited Raj Ghat and laid a wreath to honour Gandhi. The UN chief will also speak at a closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Conference along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also participate in the International Solar Alliance Assembly and a meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association energy ministers. The UN Chief arrived in the country on Monday and formally inaugurated the UN House in the national capital. On his visit, Guterres said that he was delighted to be back to Delhi and wished enormous success in the deepening of the cooperation between India and the United Nations. During his three-day stay, he is expected to discuss key global issues such as climate change and terrorism with PM Modi. He will also meet Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with other senior leaders of the country. Guterres is also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the India Habitat Centre on the theme 'Global challenges, global solutions'. Guterres had visited the country, earlier in 2016, months before his election as the Secretary-General.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary